The Cross River State governorship candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Effiom Okokon, has promised to overhaul the tax revenue sector to attract investors into the state if elected governor in 2023.
He made the promise, yesterday, while briefing journalists on his agenda, which he described as Heart Project to restore Cross River, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Calabar.
Okokon said: “What is happening in Cross River is that money is not circulating. We need money to come into the state; this can be done through new investment opportunities. So, what we are going to do is to ensure we reduce taxes so that companies can stay here and employ more people; then the money will start circulating.
“My administration will never be dependent on federal allocation,” he assured.
The SDP governorship candidate also promised to initiate policies and programmes that would take the state out from the shackles of poverty.
He said his six-point agenda, which include education, rule of law, social justice and agriculture, would all be overhauled to restore the lost glory of the state.
Okokon added: “Government should have no business increasing its taxes just because it wants to make money.
“It will end up impoverishing its citizens, making life difficult for them. I will ensure that more money remains in the pockets of our citizens.”
The young banker assured of a robust administration, with policies that would ensure money meant to boost the coffers of state government is not diverted.